Mosquitoes – Fact and Fiction

It seems like something out of a science fiction novel.  You notice you’re being bitten by a mosquito.  Simply pull your skin on either side of the mosquito taut, trapping the mosquito’s proboscis, and you force the mosquito to ingest so much blood that she explodes.  Fact or fiction?

Surprisingly, this is true and has been verified by a number of people.  However, the bigger question is why you might want to do this.  It doesn’t do anything except kill one mosquito that has already bitten you and subjected you to whatever diseases it may be carrying.  It does nothing to prevent future bites or to reduce the local population of mosquitoes.

So explode the mosquito if it brings you pleasure or a sense of accomplishment, but unless you derive a great deal of joy from watching a mosquito drown in your own blood, there are better ways to manage the annoying little pests.

Everybody is looking for the ultimate mosquito repellent and sprays made from garlic often come up on the radar.  But is it true that the scent of garlic sprays, which eventually become undetectable to the human nose, causes mosquitoes, with their more sensitive sense of smell, to avoid certain areas?

This one falls firmly in the fiction category – mosquitoes really don’t have a sense of smell at all.  Yes, they’re attracted to certain odors, but most repellents work not by making you smell bad to the mosquito, but by covering up your normally attractive aroma.

If you’re looking for a repellent, there are a number of effective natural remedies, such as DEET, which is very reliable – not garlic sprays.

Ultrasonic transmitters designed to repel mosquitoes have also become very popular lately.  Some stores even offer small models you can wear around your neck as a pendant or clip to your clothing.  But do these transmitters work?  And are they safe for humans to wear?

Here’s the short answer on ultrasonic transmitters – no, they don’t work.  The EPA spent two years testing every ultrasonic transmitter they could get their hands on in hopes of finding a way to get rid of mosquitoes without using chemicals.  Unfortunately, there was no measurable effect on mosquitoes or on humans as far as they could tell.  The EPA’s findings have also been upheld by additional studies at various universities.  In fact, manufacturers of ultrasonic transmitters are finding themselves in trouble with the EPA and the United States government over their unsupported product claims.

The best way to avoid mosquitoes is to remove any potential breeding grounds from the areas you frequent outdoors.  For example, if you see standing water – such as a bird bath, a puddle or even an overturned shovel or flower pot – do your best to eliminate it.  Also, avoid being outside at dusk and dawn when most mosquitoes prefer to bite.  If these two solutions alone aren’t enough to end your mosquito woes, choose an insect repellent that contains DEET for maximum effectiveness.

Which Areas are Prone to Mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes can be more than just a nuisance – they can also cause serious diseases.  Therefore, it makes sense to want to avoid areas that are prone to mosquitoes.  Unfortunately, while there are some areas where you can be fairly certain to find mosquitoes, mosquitoes really can be found just about anywhere.

Mosquitoes need water to breed.  Anywhere you find standing water, you’ll also find mosquitoes.  The water source can be as small as a puddle in your backyard or as big as a local lake.  Some mosquitoes breed in salt water, while others need fresh water to reproduce.  Some mosquitoes even lay their eggs on damp ground and wait for a flood to occur to hatch the eggs.  Traditional mosquito repellents can help protect you from these pests, but if you’e going to be out in the sun, you might want to try one of the newer products that combines an insect repellent with sunscreen.

If you need to avoid mosquitoes, stay away from wetlands, swamps, marshy land, creeks and rivers.  Sometimes, all it takes is a small eddy to provide a place for mosquitoes to breed.  Avoid areas where it looks like water has been standing, like a bird bath, an abandoned tire or a run-off ditch.  Koi ponds aren’t usually a problem because any pond that’s stocked with fish will likely see the fish munching on mosquito eggs or larvae.

And when it comes to crowds, humans exhale carbon dioxide and release lactic acid when we exercise or eat certain foods.  In fact, these two chemicals are used in many mosquito traps to attract mosquitoes.  Anywhere you find people in large numbers – especially if they’re eating or sweating – you’ll find mosquitoes.  Overall, this is less likely during the day – although there are some mosquitoes that like to be out and about during the day – and more likely at dawn and dusk.

Mosquitoes also like the smell of animals.  In fact, most mosquitoes are more content to bite a smaller, more compliant mammal than to bite a human, where they’ll likely be swatted at.  You’ll find some mosquitoes at the zoo, but if you have a pet dog, check out his dog house and you may be surprised at the number of mosquitoes you find.

Another draw for mosquitoes is sweet smells, like those found on flower and fruits.  To avoid mosquitoes, stay away from outdoor flower beds and orchards.  Avoid using products that smell sweet, like scented shampoo, body wash and perfume.  There are certain flowers you can plant that mosquitoes specifically don’t like, including marigolds.  If you want to be outside to enjoy your garden, think about including some of these plants to make it more hospitable.

Movement and color can also catch a mosquito’s eye.  They like dark colors and dark foliage, so avoid those things to avoid mosquitoes.  If you’ll be attending an outdoor concert at night, be sure to pack your repellent – the combination of the crowd, darkness and movement may make the event a virtual mosquito smorgasbord.